Vegan Mediterranean Diet Good for BMI and Wallet

Researchers found that plant-based, nut and oil-heavy diets cut grocery costs and waistlines.

While recent findings announced the health benefits of vegan, Mediterranean diets, a new study from The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Community Food Bank published in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition showed that participants who cut animal products from their diet both lost weight and also saved money on groceries. The study took place over 34 weeks and included cooking classes to familiarize participants with plant-based recipes; the six-week classes emphasized preparing whole-grain pastas, vegetables, and fruit with olive oil. Participants cut their total food spending by more than 50 percent, with savings of about $40 per week. Lead researcher Mary Flynn notes that findings may be key to reducing inaccessibility of nutritional food.